Judy Gold in Mommy Queerest

Comedian and author Judy Gold will appear in her new one-woman show, Mommy Queerest, at Boston's Huntington Theater, December 26 through the 31st.

Gold's material draws on a wealth of subjects, including GLBT issues and the foibles of family life.

"I'm a comic, we are social commentators," said Gold. "I think when you present controversial issues in a funny way, it makes it more palatable for people to digest. Everyone needs to know that they all know and love a gay person whether or not they want to admit it."

Gold was incensed by the passage of California's Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage in that state.

"It took Prop. 8 to get people outraged to the point where they finally want to do something," Gold said. "Oh, so that's what it takes to motivate people, for people to lose their rights? How ridiculous this is! Marriage should be a civil right."

Gold's comic persona is rooted in her Jewish heritage, which she discusses often in her shows. One of Gold's previous shows was dubbed "25 Questions for Jewish Mothers".

Oh, so that’s what it takes to motivate people, for people to lose their rights? How ridiculous this is! Marriage should be a civil right.

"Jews are generally a thinking people," Gold explained. "We are taught to look at things in different ways. Doing stand-up is part of who I am. Being a Jew is all of who I am. Being gay is part of who I am - it's about who I love."

Gold's busy career isn't always easy for her to handle, especially with the pressures of fame.

"My kids hate that I work at night," Gold said. 'Why do you have to work at night? Why can't you have a regular job?' And then when they come to the clubs they think it's really cool! It's really hard living your life when the world is set up for a 9 to 5 lifestyle. And people think they know you, and you're at a party and they are like 'Oh, she wasn't that funny.' I'm not on all the time."

Gold believes homophobia continues to be a major problem, especially in the African-American community.

"In California the African Americans came out in record numbers to vote for Obama, but they also passed Prop. 8, and now the gays are saying, 'we voted for your guy, so what gives?' But NO, it shouldn't matter if he was black, purple, or what his skin color is. But in the African American community they're saying that that included a lot of evangelicals. And so they need to be educated [out of homophobia]. People need to 'come out.' It's really difficult to come out in the African American community," Gold said.

Gold believes the purpose of her shows is not only to entertain, but to inspire her audiences to change the way they view the world: "I want to make people think, but I really want to make them laugh. I guess I want them to laugh while they're thinking, and I want them to think while they're laughing. I don't know. I just want both. I think I can do it."

Log onto http://www.judygold.com for more information about Boston's Huntington Theater premiere of "Mommy Queerest" and other upcoming appearances.